Tag Archives: zara

how to dress like a french girl

french style emmanuelle alt

Emmanuelle Alt & team, image via (for more Parisian style goodness, see my Pinterest page)

Hi, friends! I’m back, I’m caffeinated, and I’m finally ready to start telling you all about that wonderful trip I took. Before I get into the official travel reviews, tips and all of that goodness, something’s been nagging at me. Something I noticed literally nonstop on this trip, time and time again. I’d sit in a café, sometimes for hours, just people-watching. Or, more specifically, scoping out all of those gorgeous Parisian girls whose style we’re always trying (and failing) to emulate over here. And by about Day 6, something clicked. I finally realized they’re all doing the exact same thing. The clouds parted, and the secret formula for how to dress like a French girl was finally bestowed upon me by the fashion gods. Are you ready? Read on

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currently coveting: midi skirts for spring

First of all, friends, I’m so sorry for being woefully delinquent a bit absent lately. If we’re pals on social media (oh, please say we are…a girl needs a little validation now and then), you’ll probably have gleaned that I have a pretty fantastic trip coming up in a couple of weeks. Paris and Florence! And truth be told, it sort of has my brain in a vice grip. I’m making packing lists (which I’ll be sharing), coordinating guests to hang out here while I’m gone, and trying to make sure I have my must-visit list of stores in order before I leave. So, just hang in there…your patience will be rewarded with loads of pretty pictures and some great travel guides, I promise.

For now, though, can we talk about how excited I am that midi skirts are in style this season? Not that I so much care about what’s “in style” if I love it and it looks good on me, but I very much care about what’s “available for purchase”, and if something’s in style, you can find it just about everywhere.

So, why the midi? Read on

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cheap thrill: one very easy red dress

zara red dress, via shopping's my cardio

As I said yesterday, dresses are a major shortcoming in my closet. But I picked up this little red shift at Zara the other day (on mega-sale), and am quite a fan. It plays well with cardis and blazers now, but I can easily wear it solo when the weather warms up. It doesn’t look like much on that stick-straight model, but add some curves to the mix, and good things happen. Plus, it has those drapey front pockets which do a fine job of camouflaging tummies.

Turns out, there are quite a few excellent (and under-$30) dresses happening at Zara right now (I’m particularly optimistic about this one). Worth a look – just remember, watch those hemlines (Zara does love their minis). And when in doubt, size up.

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six fall scarves worth splurging on right now (and a few steals)

This morning, I put on my first scarf of the season, and I’ll admit – I was a little giddy about it. Sure, I love the patterns, the soft textures, the way they fall just so. But if I’m honest? Mostly, I’m excited because this brings me one day closer to the time of year when I can basically wear the same outfit every day. I add a different scarf and, not only does no one know, but I never fail to get compliments. I’m telling you, friends – get an arsenal of fall scarves together, and your wardrobe worries are history.

The trick with scarves is to go big and light – I’m talking huge, voluminous scarves with soft textures and stunning patterns. Why? Well first, the bigger the scarf, and the lighter the fabric, the easier it is to wear – just wrap copiously, and let the fabric drape the way it wants to. Next, look for big color and striking, intricate details. Adding color near your face makes you look younger – I swear, it’s true – and brings out your eyes in the way a grey cardigan sadly never will. Plus, when you’re wearing a work of art, the rest of the outfit just sort of blends seamlessly into the background. So, you can wear that black Vince tunic sweater three times in a week, and no one’s the wiser.

Sure, getting that oversized, light-as-air, gorgeously-patterned scarf often means a splurge…but I’ve snuck a few steals into the mix too.  Read on

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holy grail quest: the perfect summer jacket

I meant to write about nail polish today. But honestly, the little shopaholic hamster running rampant in my brain just can’t focus, because it’s hellbent on tracking down the perfect summer jacket.

You know the one I mean. You can throw it on over a tired tank and jeans, and look instantly pulled-together (yet not dressy), or tote it along to a summer barbecue, secure in the knowledge that when the sun sets, you can toss it on over your skimpy sundress and everyone will be amazed and bewildered by how effortlessly cool you look. The one that goes with everything, looks like you’ve owned forever (way before it was cool), and makes other people stop you in the streets to ask where you found such a treasure. At which point, you’ll give them a sweetly benevolent half-smile and mutter something about an adorable little boutique in Paris.

Am I aiming too high?

To be honest, I haven’t found my holy grail yet. But I can tell you this: I’ll be like a dog who’s lost its bone somewhere in the backyard (digging, digging…ah, simile.) until I find the winner. In the meantime, let’s look at some contenders, shall we? Read on

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all in the details: jeffrey campbell darnell wedge

Kate M.W. ~ Despite the fact that I’m a strong advocate for flats, sometimes a pair of, say, suede platform wedge t-strap colour-blocked heels just catches my eye and I’m hooked. Completely practical? Perhaps not. But there’s something about these Darnell Wedges from Jeffrey Campbell that seem both playful and grown-up, appealing both to my inner child and my subtle chic older self. The mix of black, grey, and maroon provide a palette that’s versatile and easy to work with.

Read on

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currently coveting: MiH jeans

I have what friends might lovingly call a denim problem. Because I work from home, and because I live in a pretty casual part of the world (hello, fleece lovers!), I spend an exorbitant amount of time in jeans. To the point that I’ve had to have the seats in my car replaced because they’re covered in denim dye. Truly, I’ve tried to stop. But what are my alternatives? Cords? No. They make strange sounds when you walk, and leave woefully unflattering color changes when you sit. Khakis? Absolutely not. Have you ever looked at your backside in a pair of khakis?

So, what’s a girl to do?

As it turns out, the solution lies with those impossibly stylish folks at MiH Jeans. They singlehandedly resurrected the trouser/flare jean a few years back (for which I’m still thanking them), and now they’ve just launched their latest and greatest: a collection that translates their signature denim fits into a whole range of perfectly-fitting casual pants to get us through the winter.

The beauty of MiH, as with all denim, is the fit – and friends, the fits at MiH are absolutely dreamy, whatever your figure. They espouse a more structured style, which is very good news for your physique (though it does mean sizing up, so be prepared).

If you’re petite, you’re going to adore their Brighton, a cropped mid-rise style that should land right in that ultra-flattering base-of-the-calf/top-of-the-ankle zone and sit comfortably above your hips. I’m thoroughly in love with this grey flannel version which is, let’s face it, about as versatile as it gets.

 

Brighton in grey flannel, MiH, $202 / Dream colorblock sweater, J.Crew, $98 / Wayfarer in gold, Bass, $91 /
Wendy Necklace, Grayling, $120 / Mini Gabriella crossbody, Milly, $198 / Gold stud earrings, Marco Bicego, $405

And for my tall girls, have you met the MiH Marrakesh? Long, lean, and a stunner whether you have curves or not, this high-waisted flare does some gorgeous things for a figure, trust me. I’m head over heels for this one in hunter twill, which has such a fresh feel after all of those colored skinny jeans we were inundated with all summer.

Marrakesh in hunter twill, MiH, $205 / Hunter tee, Club Monaco, $90 / Gala jacket, Helmut, $460 /
Geo panel tote, Topshop, $190 / Sylvia Piping boot, Frye, $320 / Crystal bracelet, Zara, $26

(For the record, I can’t think of the last time I styled something in which I wanted every.single.piece. quite so badly. That blazer? Those boots? The leather-trim tee? Come on!)

If you love them as I do, don’t dally…shell out some support for MiH’s daring adventure into the world of casual pants, and let’s see if we can turn them into this season’s staples. Vote with your wallets, people!

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